Larry O’Connor • For the Enquirer • October 18, 2008
ALBION — This year’s mayoral race features a pair of lifetime residents who have lived a combined 123 years in the city. When it comes to political experience, though, incumbent William Wheaton and challenger Joseph Domingo Jr. couldn’t be further apart.
Wheaton’s held elected office for 14 years, nine of those as mayor. Domingo, a retired city employee, is making his first bid for elected office. On Nov. 4, Wheaton and Domingo will vie for a two-year mayoral term. The position pays $250 a month.
“I just thought I could make a change for the better,” said Domingo, who retired as Department of Public Works superintendent in June. Wheaton said he has some unfinished business as the city’s top elected official while adding, “Experience is necessary in these economic times.”
WILLIAM WHEATON
Infrastructure improvements, namely sidewalks and streets, remain a priority, Wheaton said. The key will be to find grants and alternative funding for projects if they are to continue in these perilous economic times.
An example of that is the new fire station/ambulance headquarters, which is being built with 40 percent funding from Huron Valley Ambulance Company and state and federal loans. Some, including Wheaton’s opponent, have chafed at the projected $800,000 cost, but the mayor thinks the final price tag will be less.
When completed, the structure on Clinton Street will house the city’s three fire engines as well as the private ambulance company, which will enhance public safety, Wheaton said.
“At least we don’t have to wait for them (Albion Community Ambulance) to come from Marshall or Jackson,” he said. “To me the benefit is there.”
Wheaton lauds overall city services, which has seen workers banding together to get more done. He gives high marks to City Manager Mike Herman, who is completing his 10th year on the job.
“A lot of communities would like to have a Mike Herman,” he said.
Like the city’s top administrator, Wheaton came under fire during a controversial assessment. He defends the $50 per parcel levy to fix crumbling walkways, which city council passed earlier this year.
“If you wait for somebody to come and give money and say, ‘I’d like you to work on the sidewalks,’ you’re never going to get that,” Wheaton said. “So we took a stand: Let’s put it out there and see where it goes.
“A lot of people have said it’s the most positive thing that happened in this community for a long time.”
JOSEPH DOMINGO JR.
Jobs are a pressing issue, and the mayor’s office could do more to assist residents on employment matters, Domingo said. He suggests the mayor work closer with the city’s Economic Development Corp. to promote Albion and pass on job leads from other communities.
“I think we can steer people in the right direction and help them if they need help with applications,” Domingo said.
Unlike the incumbent, the retired city worker views city council actions through a critical lens. He has qualms about proposed fire station and ambulance headquarters, speaking out against the project at a recent council meeting. He thinks the $800,000 would be better used to improve roads, sewers or sidewalks.
“That bad part about it is they didn’t even show people the plans,” Domingo said. “(City officials said), ‘If you want to see them, come down to city hall.’ I went down there and they didn’t even have them. How are the citizens supposed to find them?”
Domingo, who worked 20 years with the city, is complimentary on the services provided. He’s less enamored with the Albion’s top administrator, City Manager Mike Herman.
“I think there could be improvement,” he said before adding, “but everybody needs improvement.”
On issues such as the sidewalk levy or the city possibly going to a single waste hauler, city officials need to do a better job of informing residents, Domingo said. The single waste hauler matter has been delayed as city officials do more research. “We need to break that to them gently and don’t cram it down their throat like we did with the sidewalks,” he said.
Those views appear consistent with his campaign mantra.
“I want to be honest to all the citizens and I want to be direct as possible with everything that is going on,” Domingo said.
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